IntechOpen Coma and Brain Death - Facts, Myths and Mysteries

In the ever-increasingly demanding scenarios of critical care, the diagnosis of brain death stands as one of the most sensitive and essential decisions that physicians are asked to make. It is a concept surrounded by mysteries and still needs to be better understood. The book Coma and Brain Death - Facts, Myths, and Mysteries tries to identify the complexities of concepts, criteria, standards, and ethical considerations that surround the diagnosis of brain death. The book also explores the intricate and mysterious world of human consciousness and tries to explain the misunderstood concepts related to coma and brain death. There are many questions we face, including: What defines brain death? What irreversible stages or changes lead to coma and, subsequently, brain death? How can we prevent these irreversible changes? And in cases where brain death is impending, how do we determine the irretrievability of events? This book combines the related elements of diagnosing and managing brain death, essential components, challenges, and the various policies and ethical considerations that hospitals and healthcare professionals must adopt while handling these challenging scenarios. It explores the critical distinctions between coma, vegetative states, and brain death, unravelling the nuances of diagnosis, from advanced imaging to the apnoea test, the standard in assessing irreversible brain failure in adults. Readers will gain a deep understanding of how diagnostic criteria differ in children, where additional precautions and guidelines are essential, and why certain protocols are followed for organ donation candidates and pregnant patients.